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Paignton mansion on endangered list

Credit: The Victorian Society

The list is put together by the Victorian Society.

Private home. Then council offices. What next? Oldway Mansion was supposed to become a luxury hotel. But that fell through. 

The grounds are still beautifully maintained, but the house is empty and the cash-strapped council can't afford to maintain it. That's why they moved out in 2007. 

Now an organisation called the Victorian Society has named it as one of the top 10 endangered buildings in the country. 

Christopher Costelloe, Director of the Victorian Society, said: “I was lucky enough to be shown round Oldway Mansion just a few days ago; Pevsner was not wrong when he described it as ‘stunningly bombastic’! The council are so privileged to have such a building in their possession, but are also laden with a huge responsibility. Such a large, opulent building requires a lot of care and I know they are struggling. It would be wonderful if it could be kept as a public space, that way everyone could enjoy the building as the pride of Paignton. But whatever happens, such an important Grade II*-listed building must be protected and maintained.”

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